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I'm needing some help getting started on a Victorian Era home restoration. I've also posted this in the Home Decorating forum, but thought I'd post it here too, I don't know how much traffic is over there, and I need ALL the help I can get, lol.
This is my BF's home. It may be a bit of a historical home, being that it was built by the town doctor. BF doesn't seem to be real certain about what he wants, so I'd like to get some pics for him to look at. That would at least be a place to start. Does anyone have a few sites they can recommend?
This isn't as simple as going to Lowe's and picking out carpet and paint...we tried that and left empty handed, lol.
Bubba, you sound so energetic and enthusiastic...tell ya what...I'll dig ya up some pics and just let ya have at it. Sound like a deal?
On the other thread I posted someone suggested I contact the local Historical Society, which I did today. They are going to see if they can come up with some pics for me. I was amazed to find out that there are 3 Historical Society Chapters in our po-dunk area.
Only thing is that the Historical Societies come with rules and regulations as to what you can and cannot do...such as you CAN have hardwood floors w/ a rug, you canNOT have carpeting. (This is talking for grants and all that jazz.) It makes sense, but it's a tough decision to make if you want to live by someone else's rules in your own home. I don't even know what all the rules are yet. Guess we'll find out as we go!
Oh, Bubba, before you pack yer hammer too fast, just want you to know it started snowing around 9 am this morning and hasn't quit yet. We're expected to have 4-8 inches by the weekend. Ahhh, gotta love those white Halloweens!!!
I'm helping a friend with an 80YO farmhouse here in Texas - We have been working for three years, and he has a schedule for the next 3 years. Guess that means I won't be making a trip back to "snow country" - 9I grew up in N. MN, so i DO know snow.
We tore off the linolium and plywood covering the old pine t&g floor, repaired the termite and patch job done by a less than professional tenant, sanded and stained the entire downstairs floor - 3 coats of poly - looks great. Now working on the upstairs. It was originally an attic, but was converted to living space by his grandmother. Panelling, wallpaper, more plywood and linolium - ARRGGHHH!
Again good luck with your restoration. Hardest thing we encountered has been finding materials that are as old as the house. Todays materials are NOT the same size - I've had to have a carpenter friend re-size some lumber to make it "look right" - i just gotta buy my own plainer and jointer. - maybe next year.
Oh yeah, everything has to be custom sized, which means more money, lol. And, I'm sorry, I'm truly sorry, but what the heck is with paneling anyway???? Half of this beautiful home I'm talking about is covered with paneling. There is the original plaster behind the paneling...I don't know what condition it's in. Judging by the condition of the exposed plaster in the rest of the home it should be in great condition...minor cracks that need repair, but after 100+ yrs that is to be expected, lol. But why on earth anyone would cover anything usable or paintable with paneling is beyond me...even if it was the '70's. But hey, at least there's no bright orange shag carpet!! There is linoleum, tasteful carpet, older linoleum tiles, and who knows what else.
There's also a mystery fireplace in the dining room. I haven't gotten a good look at this yet, just heard stories, lol. From the sounds of things someone actually put PANELING OVER the fireplace and closed off the chimney. The fireplace, hearth and chimney are all still there, just the chimney is closed off. Paneling was put up over the fireplace at some point...not pre-fab paneling like is in the rest of the house, not the 1/4" cheap stuff.
Oh, people can make a mess, can't they? I really think whenever someone makes a major change to a home it should be written down and kept somewhere safe, like a fireproof safe for future owners of the home. Because what worked and made sense 50 yrs ago (or even 10) isn't true now...and then you have those folks who just made a mess, lol!!
Last Saturday's project was exciting - found that one or two of the old T&G boards from the upstairs bedroom into the main area did not have sufficient support under them. Caulk and filler would not work - always would crumble, so we needed a way to get another 2x6 under that area. Only access was the stairway. boards, covered with cheesecloth, covered with wall paper, covered with sheetrock, covered with - you guessed it - paneling. Found the paneling seams, so removed a 4' section, cut the sheetrock, then cut the boards.
You were having fun, weren't you? I look at those pics and just grimace and wince. The thing is I've already practically gutted and redone one house, it wasn't this old of a house. I know what I'm looking at doing. It's not that I'm lazy, I'm up to the work. I just hate the mess...and how long it takes. It's NEVER done. Of course, I'm not living there this time so that'll make it easier. If you can walk away from the mess even for a bit it takes the pressure off. I'm sure you understand that, lol. There's just no way to keep a construction area really clean, especially if you're doing drywall/plaster work.
Oh, and I forgot to mention before that I do have a planer and joiner.
The thing about any "old house" project, is the hidden projects that will be found when you start. We now estimate that there will be 3 additional for every planned project. And none of these could be known before we started.
The other challenge is ALL THE WOOD -- never open studs, joists, etc. I have at least 4 different saws on board because we never know what we will find.
It has been much easier without tenents in the house, but my schedule only allows 1 day per week to help at best.
Lucky you - planer and jointer. I will get there, Christmas is coming.
